On the ‘true position’ of hydrogen in the Periodic Table

Abstract

Several attempts have recently been made to point to ‘the proper place’ for hydrogen (sometimes also helium) in the Periodic Table of the elements. There are altogether five different types of arguments that lead to the following conclusions: (1) hydrogen should be placed in group 1, above lithium; (2) hydrogen should be placed in group 17, above fluorine; (3) hydrogen is to be placed in group 14, above carbon; (4) hydrogen should be positioned above both lithium and fluorine and (5) hydrogen should be treated as a stand-alone element, in the center of the Periodic Table. Although all proposals are based on arguments, not all of them sound equally convincing. An attempt is made, after critical reexamination of the arguments offered, to hopefully point to the best possible choice for the position of hydrogen. A few words are also mentioned on the structure of the Periodic Table and the (novel) attempts to reorganize it.